A look at John Milton's work

At a young age, John Milton was convinced that he was

destined for greatness. He thought that he 'might perhaps leave

something so written to aftertimes as they should not willingly

let it die'(Text 414). For this reason he thought that his life

was very important to himself and to others. He often wrote

directly about himself, and he used his life experiences as roots

for his literature. In Paradise Lost and in a sonnet entitled

'On His Blindness,' Milton speaks indirectly and directly of his

loss of vision. Also in Paradise Lost, he uses the political

situation of his time as a base for the plot, and he incorporates

elements of his own character into the character of Satan. In

'On Having Arrived at the Age of Twenty-Three', he speaks plainly

about the course of his life.

In the latter part of his life, Milton lost his vision.

This loss was very traumatic for him because he had not yet

completed his mission of writing a memorable work of literature.

Soon after, he continued his work with the help of his daughters.

He dictated to them a sonnet he called 'On His Blindness' in

which he asks how God expects him to do his work blind. Milton's

ambitious side says that his writing talent is 'lodged with [him]

useless'(Text 417). His religious side soon realizes that he is

'complaining' to God and he takes it back. He discovers that God

will not look down on him if he does not write a masterpiece. He

granted Milton a great talent, and he expects Milton to be happy.

He has to learn to do his work in a dark world. This poem was

not the last time Milton referred to his condition in his

writing. In book one of Paradise Lost,